Those hurtful words
Why did I write a novel?
Well, I had a story in my head, for months and months. This story became more and more vivid in my mind, to a point where every dream was about the story. In my mind, in my dreams, in my every thought, my story grew. Eventually I put a pen to paper and the story became more than a thought. It became something to share. It took up a lot of my time, but also took a lot out of me. Anyone who has written a story will be able to relate to that last part. When I write, I can write for hours without pause but when all that was needed to be said has been said and when all that was needed to be done has been done, I am – exhausted!
Is it any wonder, then, that I would feel so attached to the story into which I poured so much more than just my time?
I understand and fully appreciate that not everyone will like my writing. That’s fine. I have never proclaimed that my story was the next big thing. It is the VERY FIRST novel I have written. There are bound to be drawn out scenes, overly descriptive passages and obvious plot entries. Furthermore, the novel is self edited. I know I am not God and therefore not perfect. So, of course there will be mistakes I have overlooked. Whenever I see a mistake or one is pointed out to me (and from what someone else has said, I think there were only about three errors left), I re-edit the book and then upload the new edition. I know I don’t have to do that. I have read many novels that are filled to the brim with errors but the stories are still very good. I do it because I am critical of myself and like whatever I do to be of a good standard. I have never asked anyone to review it. I have never forced my writing onto anyone. If a person reads my stories, it is solely their decision. I don’t expect every review to be a ten out of ten. After all, I don’t like every sample of writing I come across. What really bothers me is when someone purposely writes something malicious just because they can. I would never do that to someone else and, being the overly emotional person I am, find it quite difficult to accept that there are people out there who can be like that.
Now, the person I am referring to knows that it is her I now write about. Her hurtful words were not necessary. I am not sure what her aim was. What is worse is that she is a follower of my blog. She should know exactly how I write. Why, then, did she bother to read the novel at all? And to top it all off, my genre is not even her preferred choice of YA and mystery novels. That would be the same as me reading a really intense horror story (not my preferred genre) and then writing about how much I did NOT enjoy it!
Will she deter me from writing in the future?
Of course not. She is a person who reads a lot of books and then writes reviews about them. I would hardly call that a professional opinion. She has not even written a novel herself. Now, I cannot say I don’t care what she wrote. Of course I do, as much as I would care if an adult told my child she was a bad person. That may seem a strange comparison but a novel does become a part of you and you do hold it close to your heart and love it and nurture it. You do feel the need to protect it. And so this post has been written. Really, I should say thank you to her. Now, I have had a terrible time the last two weeks and I have been struggling to think of a suitable topic to draw a line under the past and start fresh. Well, this is a great way to finish it off 
Every thing in life is a part of learning and change.
So what have I learned from this particular experience?
I have learned, as I said previously, that not everyone in the writing world is nice. Some reviewers can be downright nasty. I have also learned that I cannot let one person’s nastiness deter me from what I know I am – a writer. And so I will continue to write. In fact, I think this experience has added some fuel to my writing fire. I suddenly have a name for one of my stories’ villains! Only joking, that would be giving her what she already thinks she is – someone important in my writing life. and she isn’t.
And so the line is drawn. Tomorrow is a new day!
Copyright © 010712 by Karen Payze
Well said! And a nicely drawn line, I might add.
Thanks
Karen, it takes a lot of courage to share with the world something so personal. You are right. There are unkind critics everywhere and, although the are entitled to their opinion, they certainly do not define us. It hurts though, because any work of art, in any form is always deeply personal. Thanks for sharing here. Kudos to you for all you do!
Thanks for the positive comment. And you are right, although what she said hurt me, she certainly does not and will never define me
So the question is, if I didn’t like your book, for whatever reason, can I expect this same response again, but at me. We can’t please everyone, but what we can do is respect another’s opinion. Hurtful or not, read the review again, and again if necessary, to find the points that will improve your skills as an author.
Trust me, it takes more guts to tell the truth than to go along with everyone else.
Of course not, if you read the post you will note that I said she is entitled to her opinion. As are you. You can write whatever you want about me. However as it is my writing, I have a right to defend it just as you have a right not to like it. The post was not really about her negative review, rather it is about whether I choose to let the hurtful words stamp out my passion or not. And I choose not
have a lovely day!
Well, I think your passion is intact.
Yes, I think it is
Everything we experience in life can, and should, be used as a learning curve, the good and the bad and I am still learning! Thanks for your comments 